WHIPPS CROSS: Norovirus outbreak closes three wards (From This Is Local London)

WHIPPS CROSS: Norovirus outbreak closes three wards

11:48am Wednesday 7th January 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

An outbreak of the norovirus, or winter vomiting bug, has forced Whipps Cross Hospital to close three of its wards to new patients.

The infection began to spread after large numbers of people came to A and E with symptoms of the virus and were admitted to the wards.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said: “We are urging the public to stay at home if they are suffering from symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting, rather than attending the hospital’s A and E department.

“First ports of call should be NHS Direct, by telephone or online, and GP practices, including out-of-hours services.

“At present, the Trust is experiencing a high level of demand for beds due to a combination of a number of different viruses, including the norovirus, in addition to flu and general winter illnesses.”

She added that although Whipps Cross has a good record for containing the spread of infection, the norovirus can be difficult to tackle as it is extremely contagious.

As a result, there are strict rules in place to help control the spread and wards where infection is present must be closed to new admissions, creating a shortage of beds.

“It’s really important that people are checked but in the majority of cases, the virus can be self-managed at home,” the spokeswoman said.

If you are concerned you may be suffering from the winter vomiting bug, contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 and at nhsdirect.nhs.uk or visit your GP.